5.9 TELECONFERENCING

Educational teleconferencing can be a valuable medium for interactive group communication by means of a two-way broadcast. Three main types of teleconferencing have been identified:

(i) audio teleconferencing

(ii) video teleconferencing and

(iii) computer teleconferencing.

Audio teleconferencing being the most commonly used technique in distance education institution.

Till the early 1980 audio teleconferencing was at a experimental stage and was used occasionally. But during the past few year it grew to be a routing part of the delivery strategies of some distance education institutions. It was found that with the use of this means, the communication costs could be reduced and the quality of service to distant learners could be improved without compromising the academic integrity of the programmes the flexibility, and the low capital and operating costs of audio teleconferencing make it a communication-means of special interest to institutions serving students who live in small and widely separated communities.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF TELECONFERENCING

Teleconferencing is a electronic means which can bring together three or four people in two of more locations to discuss or share the use of two-way and one-way video, both full motion and slow scan, electronic black boards, facsimile, computer graphic, radio, satellite and videotext. However, The most essential part of all forms of teleconferencing is a good quality audio to help immediate interaction among the participate for information exchange.

Audio teleconferencing requires a multi-telephone line. electronic switch or interconnection device called a bridge to which the user can attach a wide variety of data transmission devices and telephone. The normal practice is to connect device per line into the bridge. Audio equipments used with the bridge are the usual handsets, speaker phones, radio telephones, and microphone speaker units (often called 'converners')

Audio teleconferencing uses regular telephone lines. provided by local public telephone companies. If the quality of standard business or household line is good enough, virtually any line could be used. Occasional users normally purchases their service from the local telephone company, teleconferencing consultants or major user that is willing to sell available time on its system. Any specialized terminal equipment is usually rented for including all necessary equipment long distance tool charges, and user training,

The costs for starting a university or college-based private audio teleconferencing system are not large if the local telephone system has:

(I) a relatively quiet line.

(ii) ready accessibility, and

(iv) Acceptable local and long distance rates